Football game



June 22, 1937. T. J. HAMILTON ET AL FOOTBALL GAME Filed April 2, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet l mmm il .M NN

June 22, 1937. T. J. HAMILTON ET AL 2,084,802

FOOTBALL GAME Filed April 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Class 2 Scrub 23 F78.L F49.

Patented June 22, 1937 PATENT OFFICE FOOTBALL GAME Thomas J. Hamilton,Annapolis, Md., and Donald G. Hamilton, Sewickley, and Clarence W. Wood,

Bellevue, Pa.

Application April 2, 1935, Serial No. 14,344 5 Claims (Cl. 273-94) Thisinvention relates to an indoor or table football game particularlyadapted to simulate the action and to develop the strategy and tacticsrequired of the player and coach in the actual game.

Various types of football games have been developed heretofore in whichthe play and the result are primarily matters of chance with little orno exercise of strategy and skill required of the contestants. Thesegames generally involve dealing cards or throwing dice, etc., and areeither games of chance depending entirely on the run of the-cards ordice or are devoted to the development of guessing contests, the outcomeof which depends ultimately on luck. In other words the game of footballhas been merely a background used. las a basis for a conventionalguessing contest or game of chance. While some element of chance or luckis necessarily involved in any game of this type, it is desirable toprovide a game which exacts of the contestants the exercise of skill indiagnosing the strength and weakness of an opposing team and of strategyand tactics required for success in the actual game.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelfootball game wherein the results of the game depend on the skill andfootball knowledge of the contestants in diagnosing the strength andweakness of the opposing teams and in the employment of good footballstrategy and tactics under various conditions.

Another object is to provide a novel football game which is so similarto the actual game in strategy, thought and details that it will developin players a finer appreciation of the elements of football. l

A further object is to provide a novel football game which actuallyduplicates the problems presented to coaches and players so thatinstruction and experience are gained by the use of the game.

Another object is to provide a game in which success is attained throughthe utilization of the sam'e football sense, thought and reasoning thatis demanded of successful players and coaches of the actual game.

A further object is to provide a football ganie which involves themanipulation and utilization of squads of men" divided intoclassifications according to playing `ability and on the disposition anddistribution of strength and weakness in opposing line-ups by differentmeans.

One embodiment of the invention has been iliustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and described hereinafter but it is to be expressly understoodthat the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment andthat the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not tobe construed as defining the limits of the invention, reference beinghad to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a game board which may be employed in playing agame embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view in section of the board shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates Various types of men; and

Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, illustrate typical cards selected from acomplete set or deck of cards used in playing the game.

An important characteristic of a game embodying the invention is that itpermits each contestant to control the disposition of strength andweakness in the line-up of his own team, as is the case in the actualgame. To this end, a set of men is provided for each contestant which isdivided into different classifications according to playing ability. Forexample, a set may be composed of stars, reserves or seconds, andscrubs, In many cases, it will be desirable to carry the classicationstill further, providing men of each of the above three classifications,each of which may be used only as a lineman, end, back, etc. The numbersof men in the various classifications should preferably be soproportioned as to approach in strength and number the average footballsquad. Thus there should be one or two star backs, several reservebacks, and several scrubs, and the same should be true as to other typesof men. While the proportions of stars, etc., may be varied as desired,it isv ordinarily not desirable to enable contestants to `play an entireteam of stars, or an entire back field or line of stars.

dAny suitable type of men may be employed. As shown in Fig. 3, the menare of conventional shape and may be formed of any suitable materialsuch as wood, mica, pressed paper, metal, etc., and it will beunderstood that they may have any other suitable shape or design thanthat indicated in the drawings. Where division is made into types ofplayers, such as linemen, ends and backs, the men belonging to theseveral types should be distinctive in color or otherwise and as shownin Fig. 3, the top three men with plain heads represent backs, theintermediate three men with hatched heads represent ends, and the lowerthree men with heads hatched with lines at right angles representlinemen. In each of these three groups, the center man is a star asindicated by the star on its side, the right hand man is a reserve orsecond as indicated by the numeral 2 and the left hand man is a scrub asindicated by the letter S. It will be understood that the number of men,the number of men in various groups` and classiiications, and thedistinguishing characteristics and indicia employed may be selected asdesired.

A game embodying the present invention also requires a set or deck ofcards, which in general are characterized by the fact that eachcardbears a table of the results of various types of plays which resultscorrespond to the playing ability of the men involved in the plays.Referring to Figs. 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, selected at random from a typicaldeck, it will be observed that plays of six types of plays are foundindications of the results of the plays under the vertical columnheadings of star, second and scrub players.

In the particular form of the 'game herein described by way of example,the results obtained in running and passing plays as distinguished fromkicking plays depend primarily on the defensive strength of thepositions at which the plays are directed, Whereas the results ofkicking plays depend on the ability of the kicker. Referring for exampleto Fig. 6, if a line play be directed at a defensive position occupiedby a star player, the result is no gain; if the position is occupied bya second, the gain is two yards; and in the 40 case of a scrub, the gainis four yards. It will be understood, however, that if desired cards canbe employed in which the results are weighted according to offensiveability as well as defensive ability.

The yards gained or lost in the various plays are preferably soproportioned throughout the complete deck as to provide resultsthroughout a succession of plays which correspond to the results of agame between two reasonably well 50 matched teams. The number of cardsmay be varied as desired, but it is convenient to use enough cards toprovide the average number of plays in one quarter, the cards beingreshuiiled for succeeding quarters. Further, the complete 55 deckpreferably contains cards on which the tables include indications ofacts or events which may adversely aiect the execution and result of aplay, such as Fig. 4 providing fumbles, Fig. 8 providing penalties,Figs. 6 and 9 providing re- 60 spectively incomplete and interceptedpasses, Fig. 9 providing blocked punts, and Fig. 'l providing longgains. These special indications are occasional and in about the sameproportion as such instances may be expected to occur in an `actual 65game. As in the actual game, they are unexpected and they have the sameeect to break up a planned series of plays and to require thequarterback to revise his strategy and tactics. In addition to thevertical columns referred to, 70 the cards bear special indications withrespect to certain plays such as punts, eld goals, and points aftertouchdown, as Well as special. indications with respect to fumbles, longgains and wild passes, the use of which will be made clear 75hereinafter.

epesses c Another feature. oi the cards which is of value opposite theheadings which indicate these six j necessary in the actual game.

in simulating actual playing conditions is represented by substitutioncards which enforce a substitution in one of the opposing line-ups.These substitution cards maybe of two types,

the one shown in Fig. 5 causing the removal of a player for theremainder of the game as in the case of an injury, and others requiringremoval only for the remainder of a quarter of the game. In addition,any desired arbitrary rules permitting substitutions or changes of theline-ups can be provided.

Although for some purposes the game can be played merely with the set ofmen and the set or deck of cards it is preferable to include in mostcases a means for recording and indicating the progress of the game andalso lining up the men of the opposing teams to simulate the actualgame. Figs. 1 and.2 illustrate a suitable apparatus for these purposes,which embodies a frame |00 having a board IUI. At one end of the boardis a diagram |02 with suitable indications `for positioning the mencomprising the opposing teams. The men are positioned in such a way thatthe indications of playing ability are concealed from the contestantdirecting the opposing team. Additional men who are not in the game maybe lined up at opposite sides of the playing field as indicated at |03.

The apparatus also embodies a diagrammatic representation of a playingfield on which the progress of the game may be charted and recorded.'I'his maybe done in any suitable way as by the provision of a pad ofremovable sheets,

each having thereon a. diagram of a. footballeld, or by the provision ofany suitable type of surface which can be marked in pencil or otherwiseand subsequently erased. In the form shown, a surface of ground glass|04 is provided which is supported in the frame by a backing plate IDS.The glass IM is suitably marked with yard lines, etc., to represent afootballfield.

The method of playing a game embodying the invention will be betterunderstood by the following illustrative description. The rules of thegame are essentially the rules of actual football' tions from regulationplay are preferably imposed by therules, one of which is a rulepreventing repeated successive attacks on a Weak position in the sameseries of downs, thereby forcing the contestants to diversify the play,and the other of which prohibits transfer of players from one positionto another, which is rarely encountered in actual play.

` The manner of play is illustrated below, it being understoodthat sinceonly six cards are shown in the drawings, repeated references to thesame card are necessary herein for adequate description. ATeams A and Bare lined up on the playing board by the contestants who select anddispose their men to what they consider their best advantage, concealingthe indication of playing ability of their men from the opponent. Anysuitable means may be provided for effecting such Only two varia.-

concealment, which means in the form shown comprises the arrangement ofthe indications of playing ability on one side only of each man as shownin Fig. 3, the men being placed so that these indications are turnedaway from the opposing player. It may further be stated here that inorder not to disclose the character vof players to an opponent, thecontestant having the defensive .always draws the card and reads theresult of a play announced by the opponent, except in the case ofkicking plays as to which the opposite is true. While preferably thecards are not shown to the opposing contestant, the play may be variedin this respect as by turning the cards face up as they are drawn,

Team A wins the toss and elects to kick o. The cards having beenshuiiied and placed face down on the board, A draws the rst card, sayFig. 4. A has a star kicker, and without showing the card to B, he readsin the kick off column and finds that the kick off was yards. B thendraws the second card (Fig. 6) and without showing the card to A, readsopposite return under the classification of his quarterback who is areserve or second, i'lnding that the kick off is returned six yards. Thekick oi is then recorded on the chart from As Al0-yard lineto Bs 25-yardl line and the return is recorded from Bs 25-yard to his 3lyard line.

B may now try any one of the plays listed on the cards, and any lineplay, end play or pass may be directed against any of As playingpositions. B announces that he will try As left tackle. A picks up thenext card (Fig. 7) and reads opposite line under the classification o-fhis left tackle, a reserve or second. Bs gain on the play is seven yardswhich is recorded on the chart to Bs 38-yard line, whereupon B announcesthat he will run As right end. A has a star at right end and finds onthe next card (Fig. 9) that the play resulted in a loss of seven yards,the play being charted to Bs 3l-yard line. B now elects to punt andhimself draws the next card. Assuming it to be like Fig. 6, and Bskicker to be a star, the punt is forty-ve yards and is charted from Bsl3l-yard line to As 24-yard line.

During this series ofplays B should have been forming an estimate of theability of his opponents men and should have been diagnosing thestrength and weakness of the opposing line-up. It will be observed thatB has no information as to the individual ability of his opponents menexcept such as he may be able to gain in an actual game from observingthe results of his own play. In all cases except kicks (includingkick-offs, punts and eld goals), the defense draws the card andannounces the gain or loss according lto the defensive strength of theposition over which the play is directed, .in order to prevent theoffensive player from learning the individual ability of the defensiveplayers. Since in the case of kicks the results depend primarily on theability of the offensive rather than the defensive player, the cards inthese instances are drawn by the offensive player in order to preventthe defensive playerv from learning the individual ability of theopposing backs. This system forces both contestants in the game to studythe strength and weaknesses of the opposing team on the basis ofobserved results and to direct the offensive accordingly.

When A receives Bs punt on his 24eyard line, he draws the next card(Fig. 7) and reads opposite return and under the classification of hisquarterback, a star, and finds that a long re- `to Bs i6-yard line.

turn was made. In this case (as also in case of a fumble), the playcontinues through two cards, A now drawing the next card (Fig. 9) andlooking in the upper left corner to find that the return was twenty-twoyards, returning the ball to As i6-yard line. A then elects to run Bsright tackle, but B on turning the next card finds a substitution cardlike Fig. 5. Remembering the loss he had previously suffered at As rightend, B tells A to remove his right end for the rest of the game, thisman being replaced by A from his squad. A now calls a new play andselects a forward pass over Bs star center. B draws the next card (Fig.7) and opposite pass" and under star finds that A gained eight yards.The pass is then charted from As i6-yard line A now tries Bs left guardin which position a scrub is playing. B looks at the next card (Fig. 8)opposite line and under scrub and reads -5". The footnote at the bottomof the card explains this entry which means a 5-yard penalty against A,bringing the ball back to As 49-yard line, second down and seven yardsto go. A decides to run Bs left end (a second) and'B iinds from the nextcard (Fig. 9) that A loses two yards, bringing the ball to As 47-yardline, third down and nine yards to go. A now tries Bs star right end andB finds from the next card (Fig. 7) that A gained six yards.

It is now fourth down with three yards to go with the ball on Bs 47-yardline, and A elects to punt. Provided that A has a star kicker, he hastwo choices, either to punt or "punt out of bounds, the latter requiringa star kicker and also that the ball be within the fr0-yard line. A

y chooses to punt out of bounds", picks up the next card (Fig. 6) andfinds that the klck goes out of bounds on Bs 11yard line. B immediatelydecides to punt but on the next card (Fig. 9) B nds that the punt wasblocked with a loss of seven yards, the ball being retained by B becauseit was first down. It is now second down with the ball on Bs 4-y'ardline, and with seventeen yards to gain. B again punts and this time(Fig. 6) his star kicker punts forty-five yards to Bs 49-yard line. Onthe next card (Fig. '7) A iinds that his star quarterback made a longreturn and from the following card (Fig. 9) that he returned the balltwenty-two yards to Bs 27-yard line. A fails to gain in three attemptsand announces that he will try for a iield goal, being able to meet therequirements of star kicker and the ball being inside the 30-yard line.A turns the next card (Fig. 7) and in the lower right hand corner undereld goal reads Good-30 which indicates that the attempt is good for thenumber of yards stated. A thus scores three points.

The foregoing description illustrates one manner of playing a gameembodying the invention. The regular rules of football preferably applyto this game except for the desirable arbitrary exception stated abovethat a play may only be directed at a particular defensive player oncein a series of downs. The scoring of the game is the same as in theactual game and is determined entirely according to the progress of theballI on the playing field except in the case of field goals, which areexplained above, and points after touchdown, which are determined fromthe special indications on the cards. Otherwise the rules and scoring ofthe actual game are followed.

The contestants may substitute men at any position they dire inaccordance with the rules of the actual game. `The usual penalty appliesin the case of more than three time outs in each half. The substitutioncards such. as Fig. 5 preferably do not count as a time out againsteither side and other substitutions may be permitted at Vthese timeswithout charge against either team. Teams may be entirely rearrangedbetween halves without any notice to the. op-

ponent. l

It will be observed from the foregoing descripltion that a gameembodying the invention provides a novel and improved method of playingan indoor football game in which each player or contestant is given theproblem of selecting and directing histeam chosen from a squad of men ofvarying ability. Further, he must analyze and maneuver against the teamas chosen and directed by his opponent and in this respect cannot playthe game intelligently without the football sense and knowledge requiredof a good quarterback. The data on the cards is worked out to provideresults closely comparable to the results that an actual football gamemight give and provision is made is made for the unexpected breaks ofthe game which call upon both the oiensive and the defensivequarterbacks for sudden changes of tactics in taking advantage of ordefending against sudden scoring opportunities. Thus the game iseffective to test vand to develop the football knowledge of a player andalso to develop an appreciation of the ne points of the game, theelements of chance and guess lwork being subordinated. Further, themethod of charting the game adds much interest in giving a record of theplays already consummated.

While'one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and describedabove with considerable particularity, it will be expressly understoodthat the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment, but viscapable of variations which will occur to those skilled in footballwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, considerablelvariation of the data on the cards is permissible depending upon thestandard of play desired. For example, the cards can be calculated toreproduce a game between two teams which are both strong of' fensivelyor between two teams which are both strong defensively. The number andclassication of thev men may be regulated as desired, provided that thecharacteristic of varying ability is retained. ,Furthen the number ofcards and the arrangement of data on the cards may desirably be changedto suit diierent conditions and to meet popular demands. These and otherchanges which-will be obvious from the foregoing description are withinthe scope of the invention and reference should, therefore, be had tothe appended claims to denne the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia wherebythey are divided into groups of linemen, ends and backs, the men of eachgroup being divided into dlierent classil. accesos iications of playingability as stars, seconds and scrubs, whereby each contestant controlsthe disposition of playing ability in his line-up, means for concealingsaid indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cards each bearinga table indicating results of diierent plays according to the playingability of the men involved therein, and means for indicating theprogress of the game.

2. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia wherebythey are divided into different classications to provide a plurality ofplayersl of diiferent playing ability for each playing position of ateam and each representing an individual player.' whereby eachcontestant in the game controls the disposition of strength and weaknessin his line-up, means.

for concealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality ofcards each bearing indications of results of plays, said resultslcorresponding to the playing ability of the men involved in scrubs,whereby each contestant controls the disposition of playing ability inhis line-up, means for concealing said indicia from. an opposing player,a plurality of cards each bearings; table indicating results ofdifferent plays according to the playing ability of the mien involvedtherein, and means comprising a writable surface simulating a footballfield whereby the progress of the game may be charted.

4. A Jfootball gamecomprising a plurality of men bearing indicia wherebythey are classified to provi-dea plurality of players of differentplaying ability for each playing position of a team. whereby eachcontestant in the game controls the disposition of strength and weaknessin his line-up, means for concealing said indicia from an opposingplayer, a plurality of cards each bearing indications of results ofplays, said resuits corresponding to the playing ability of the meninvolved in the plays, and means for indicating the progress of thegame.

5. A football game comprising a plurality of men bearing indicia wherebythey are divided into-groups of men for different playing positions of ateam and the men of each group are further classified to provide aplurality of players of different playing ability for each of saidplaying positions, whereby each contestant in' the game controls the.disposition of strength and weakness in his line-up, means forconcealing said indicia from an opposing player, a plurality of cardseach bearing indications of results of plays, Asaid resultscorresponding to the playing ability of the men involved in the plays,and means for indicating the progress of the game.

THOMAS J. HAMILTON. DONALD G. HAMILTON. CLARENCE W. WOOD.

